Votucalis originates from the same research program as nomacopan and shares a similar unique mode of action – specifically, capturing and tightly binding to small highly potent ligands. Votucalis binds to histamine, while nomacopan binds to C5 and LTB4. The inhibition of the histamine pathway may allow Akari to target a range of new diseases, separate from those of nomacopan.
By capturing histamine, votucalis prevents activation of all four histamine G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which can induce diverse pathophysiological processes, including chronic pain, itch and inflammation.